Featured Artist Christelle Grey

Watercolour artist Christelle Grey grew up in Africa, and her paintings reflect a deep connection with the wildlife. To enjoy more of her art, please visit her website.

“Sunset In Africa” Watercolour, 17cm x 25cm

I have always been inspired by the textured beauty of nature: the rough and dusty folds of an elephant’s skin while he leisurely scratches his back on a gnarled tree trunk; the downy softness of a cat’s fur while she stretches contentedly in a beam of sunshine; the gentle ripple of water over smoothly undulating scales of koi fish as they circle hypnotically just under the surface.

“In Motion” Watercolour, 34cm x 49cm

When the doctor prescribed taking up something relaxing while I recuperated from open heart surgery ten years ago, I decided to take up a brush and try my hand at the challenge of capturing our world of texture through layers of watercolour. Little did I know that this suggested therapy would develop into such a passion for watercolours.

“All Is Well” Watercolour, 23cm x 30cm

Watercolour is challenging and unforgiving, but so satisfying once you master it. I am mostly self taught, with a few workshops along the way to inspire and motivate me in the company of other artists.

“Companion” Watercolour, 30cm x 43cm

I approach every painting by imagining how it feels.

“Sibling Love” Watercolour, 40cm x 30cm

Everything has texture, and if you can imagine how it feels then you can capture it in paint. I am not afraid to get my fingers into it—painting every elephant wrinkle, fold, dot, and mark and softening it with my fingers while still wet.

“Leopard” Watercolour, 50cm x 70cm

I developed my technique for fur through a great deal of trial and error. I had learned that the secret to watercolours is in the amount of water used: more water, less control; less water, more control. You need the same amount of wetness in the paper and brush for good control. My fur, however is a wet-on-dry technique, using a small flat brush (size 0 or even 000) to soften all the edges once the paint is dry.

“Playful Friends” Watercolour, 55cm x 72cm

It’s easy to get carried away and paint too much detail in the fur. I have learned to stop when I get the feeling that I can run my fingers though the fur—or the lion’s mane!

“African Lion” Watercolour on paper, 40cm x 30cm

My favourite subject is the wildlife of Africa. I live in Australia now, but still feel a deep connection with Africa as I grew up there and know the animals well. It’s a peaceful pleasure to connect to a memory of a stunning animal through every brushstroke as its character takes form on my canvas.

“Curiosity” Watercolour, 38cm x 39cm

It gives me joy to share beauty, personality, and emotion through my art. The biggest challenge of a portrait is the eyes—capturing that glimpse of the soul through the smooth, transparent glass of the eye’s window. The eyes are often the focus of a painting and it’s important to get the shape, shadows, reflections and highlights accurate. You can almost put an entire separate painting inside the eye.

“Emusing” Watercolour, 29cm x 22cm

My next art adventure will be to learn the secrets of oil painting. The studio will be thoroughly covered up as I step outside of my comfort zone of tidy watercolour clean ups!

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